Congregationalist Authors

Congregationalist Authors

This work is an index or registry of all works by Congregationalists in our library. It is organized by author last name. Additionally, there is material on the general area of Congregationalists, as well as pertinent doctrinal observations about this group. Some authors and/or works have more detailed information about them.

Overview

Here are five key beliefs of Congregational Church Christians that set them apart from other Christians:

1. The importance of self-governance of the local church congregation gives the church its name. Local congregational churches recognize no higher outside authority or governing body such as most denominations have.

Decisions of doctrine and practice are not handed down to the church from outside, but rather originate from within. Because of this belief in congregational autonomy, specific doctrines can vary widely, from theologically conservative to liberal and Unitarian.

2. Congregational Church Christians believe in the spiritual equality and priesthood of all believers. In practice, this means they hold to the Bible and belief in Jesus, but individual members have “the full liberty of conscience in interpreting the Gospel,” according to The Art and Practice of the Congregational Way.

Church members are trusted to interpret the Bible and apply it as they best understand it, and the church embraces differences of interpretation. The elevation of the layperson in this way limits the authority of clergy within the church.

3. While the Congregational Church does not submit to outside governing bodies, it does encourage associations of individual congregations for the purpose of fellowship, encouragement, and cooperation in larger ministries. Local churches are represented at association meetings by their chosen delegates.

4. Church membership is based on a voluntary covenant by which members believe they are bound together with Christ alone as the head of the local church. Within this covenant context, members believe they help to form the body of Christ in the world. The details of these covenants are determined specifically by the congregation and may vary from one church to another.

Evaluation

Congregationalists are very similar to Baptists, with the main difference being that Baptists put a little more importance in the office of Pastor and deacon. D.L. Mood, G. Morgan Campbell,  and many other great preachers of yesteryear were Congregationalists. This movement is essentially a reeaction against the false doctrine and practice of the Catholic and Anglican churches.
The fact that they decide their doctrine and practice on a church by church individual level is at once good and very bad. If the people in a particular church are of the liberal mindset, the entire church will be likewise. So while there are undoubtably some great giants of the faith within these ranks, there are undoubtably some rank liberals also. So this group you must evaluate more on an individual level.

Listing of Congregationalist Works in Our Library

Below is a listing of all Congregationalist Authors in the library.

Quick Download of Congregationalist Modules

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